Use a centerpiece to dress up your dining room table.
The dining room table often serves as a location to enjoy special meals with family and friends. For some households it is reserved strictly for social gatherings or holidays, while for others it is used regardless of the occasion. One way to dress up your dining room table no matter its primary use, is to create an attractive centerpiece. A centerpiece can serve as a decorative focal point while dining and can also compliment the d cor of the dining room when the table is not in use.
Instructions
Floral Centerpieces
1. Place a clear vase on your dining room table. Select a vase that is appropriate for the size of your table or use several clear vases of the same size and height.
2. Pour a bag of colored rocks or marbles into the bottom of the vase or vases so that the bottom is full or partially full depending upon your preference. Choose a color that compliments the flowers that you plan to use in your centerpiece as well as the dining room and table.
3. Pour water into the vase if you are using real flowers. The water should be tepid and fill the vase or vases so that they are two-thirds of the way full. If using artificial flowers skip the water.
4. Cut the stems of real flowers diagonally to the length of the vase. Arrange the stems so that the ends are hidden within the rocks. Use flowers that suit the dining room decor. For example, if your dining room has a country decor, choose large sunflowers in your vase. The number of flowers used will depend on your personal taste and the number of vases used.
5. Center the vase on your dining room table. If using small vases, create each vase so that they are similar in design, but using various, complimentary colors and flowers. Arrange the vases together so that it appears to be one single centerpiece as opposed to several.
Non-Floral Centerpiece
6. Place one or more clear, large glass vases on your dining room table. Choose vases that are of varying heights. The number of vases will depend on the size of your table.
7. Place a smaller vase inside of the large one. It should be half the size of the first one and have a smooth bottom to sit easily inside of it.
8. Pour a fourth of an inch of sand on the bottom of the inner vase. Set a pillar candle on top of the sand in each vase. The weight of the candle in addition to the sand will help to anchor the smaller vase.
9. Fill a pitcher with plain water and add two or more drops of food dye. Choose a color that is complimentary to the overall color scheme of your dining room and the decorative elements of the table. Pour the tinted water in the space between the two vases, stopping half an inch from the lip of the smaller vase.
10. Arrange the vases carefully so that the larger vases are near the center of the arrangement and the smaller ones are closer to the outer perimeter of the centerpiece.
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